Purchasing Coordinator

Tell me about a time you used SAP or another ERP for purchasing work.

What they are checking: Whether they can work in the systems manufacturers use to manage orders and supply.

Tell me about a time you built a good working relationship with a supplier.

What they are checking: Whether they can work with suppliers in a way that helps when problems come up.

Tell me about a time you shared an idea for improving a process at work.

What they are checking: Whether they contribute ideas, which fits the posting's focus on participation and sharing.

A supplier tells you a key part for the Quad Cities production line will be two weeks late. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they act quickly to find alternatives and alert planners before production stops.

A price on an invoice doesn't match the purchase order. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they resolve discrepancies with the supplier and accounts payable instead of just approving.

What ethical lines do you keep when working with suppliers?

What they are checking: Whether they understand purchasing integrity, such as avoiding gifts and treating suppliers fairly, which KONE emphasizes.

How do you handle a production team that keeps sending rush requests at the last minute?

What they are checking: Whether they can meet urgent needs while working with the team to plan better.

Walk me through how you'd create a purchase order from a requisition through to receiving.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the basic purchasing cycle and the checks at each step.

How do you keep track of many open orders so nothing slips?

What they are checking: Whether they have a system, like reports or follow-up schedules, to stay on top of order status.

How would you help find cost savings in purchasing?

What they are checking: Whether they think about quotes, volume and terms rather than only placing orders.